Peter Lawrence Schaefer

Peter Lawrence Schaefer died in Highlands Ranch, Colorado on Saturday March 28, 2020 of natural causes. He was 97 years old.

Peter was born November 16, 1922 the son of Lawrence and Madeline Schaefer. Peter lived the first 62 years of his life in Wilmette. He was a member of the St Joseph’s school Class of 1936 and New Trier High School Class of 1940. After graduating from New Trier he enrolled at St Ambrose College, where he was the starting cornerback of their undefeated and unscored upon football team.After 2 years in college he joined the United States Marine Corps where he was a fighter pilot and member of VMF 452. While a member of VMF 452 he was stationed aboard the USS Franklin when it was bombed thus earning a Purple Heart and other commendations. Briefly after the war Peter was a test pilot flying a “Fox Two George” super Corsair. While flying the super Corsair Peter set a land speed record flying from Patuxent River Naval Airbase to the Glenview Naval Air Station in 1946.

Peter’s father Larry became ill in 1946 so he picked up his discharge papers and returned to Wilmette to run Wilmette Tailors and Cleaners. In 1948 Peter married Shirley Stedem at St Francis Church in Wilmette. Together they raised 7 children. Shirley died in 1976 of cancer. A year later he married Alice Raggi, who brought her 4 children into Peter’s family. In 1983 Peter and Alice sold Wilmette Tailors and Cleaners to Alice’s son Kurt and daughter in law Rita and moved to Pauma Valley, California.In 1986 Peter lost Alice to Cancer. In 1987 Peter married Virginia Mears and added another 4 step children to his combined family. Virginia died in 2004 of Alzheimers Disease.In 2006 Peter began sharing his life with Phyllis Stenzel. While in Pauma Valley Peter worked on his golf game on a daily basis and continued to play into his 90’s. He also rekindled a love for wood working and made numerous pieces of furniture for family and friends, including 13 hope chests one for each daughter and granddaughter. In 2012 Peter and Phyllis settled permanently in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

Peter is survived by 5 children, PJ (Barbara) of Eau Claire, Wisconsin; Karl (Catherine) of Canby, Oregon; Bob of Sweet Home, Oregon, Joseph of Aurora, Oregon and Ann of Webster Grove, Missouri. Eight step children: Pia Louchios of Los Lunas, New Mexico; Kurt (Rita) Raggi of Glenview, Illinois; Karen Keefe of Downers Grove, Illinois; Janice (Phil) Raggi of Glencoe, Illinois; Suzanne (Ted) Dau of Lakeville, Minnesota; Barbara (David) Flynt of Palm Desert, California; Pat (Joe) Leveroni of Sonoma, California and Kim (Jim) Schafer of Kauai, Hawaii. Along with 23 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. And finally, his beloved Phyllis Stenzel of Highlands Ranch, Colorado and her children Andy Arnold and Laurie Margheim.

Peter was predeceased by his parents Lawrence and Madeline Schaefer; wives Shirley Stedem Schaefer, Alice Raggi Schaefer and Virginia Mears Schaefer; children Christine and Daniel Schaefer; grandchild Frederick Schaefer and brother Donald Schaefer.

A celebration of Peter’s life will be held in Wilmette at a later date.

If you would like to send a card or letter, please send them to The Schaefer Family care of Horan &McConaty Funeral Home, 53303 E County Line Rd, Centennial Colorado 80122.

Memorials to The Wounded Warrior Project or the charity of your choice.

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